United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts urges federal judges to continue their efforts to promote the public’s confidence in the judiciary at the turn of the decade.
In his 2019 year-end report, the Chief Justice discussed the vital role that civic education must play in helping the public understand the United States government, emphasizing that the judiciary branch is “taking up the challenge.” In doing so, he paid homage to historically important judicial decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, the seminal school desegregation case.
The Chief Justice also commended courthouses for using their spaces as places for civic education. For example, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit opened the Justice for All Learning Center at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse in New York City, New York. He also gave praise to the judges and court personnel who have personally coordinated efforts to educate the public about the government, such as a civic engagement conference also held by the Second Circuit.
Finally, Chief Justice Roberts commended partners of the judiciary to advance civic engagement efforts. For example, retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was recognized for founding iCivics, which offers free teaching resources focused on civic learning.
The Chief Justice signed off the report by inviting his colleagues on the bench “to continue their efforts to promote public confidence in the judiciary, both through their rulings and through civic outreach.” He qualified his statements by asking judges to exercise their role “without fear or favor, deciding each matter with humility, integrity, and dispatch.”
Read the year-end report here.
